Fernandes stays with Portugal despite injury concern as Dorgu returns to United for hamstring assessment

Bruno Fernandes will stay with the Portugal squad for their UEFA Nations League matches against Denmark and Norway this week, despite Manchester United continuing to manage a fitness concern that has dogged their captain for several weeks. Meanwhile, defender Patrick Dorgu is returning to Carrington for assessment after suffering a suspected hamstring injury on international duty.

Fernandes, 32, has been close to missing United’s recent Premier League fixtures against Manchester City and Fulham after taking heavy blows during the Champions League win over Sabah at Old Trafford. He recovered to start both league games and came off the bench in the Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton, but has visibly been below his best in all three appearances.

The United captain played 89 minutes of Portugal’s win over Wales before sitting out the victory in Norway. Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus confirmed the decision to rest him was precautionary. “He played with an injury he brought from Manchester United,” Jesus said. “He said he’s been dealing with that pain for about three games, and that was one of the factors that prevented him from being at his usual level against Wales. I prefer not to risk him in this game and have him clean and in good physical condition for the Denmark game.”

United have been in contact with the Portugal camp throughout the international break as they monitor the situation. Despite the ongoing concern, Fernandes has maintained his remarkable availability record across his six-and-a-half years at the club.

Dorgu’s situation is more immediately worrying. The full-back, who joined United in the January transfer window, limped off in the first half of Denmark’s Nations League win over Wales on Sunday with what is feared to be a hamstring problem. He will now return to Carrington for the injury to be assessed by United’s medical staff.

The 20-year-old missed three months earlier this season with a hamstring injury sustained during United’s Premier League win at Arsenal, making the recurrence a significant concern for Ruben Amorim’s side as they navigate a congested fixture schedule.